Crop progress is moving along across the country. The latest U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service Crop Progress Report confirms that 57% of corn and 49% of soybeans have been planted. Emergence is reported at 23% for corn and 20% for soybeans. Learn firsthand what Stine® Seed Company agronomists from some of our Southern and Midwestern territories are seeing as crop progress continues in their regions, with additional regional updates coming next week.
Illinois and Indiana
“Planting progress in my territory ranges from roughly 50% done in central Illinois and up to 95% in southern Illinois and southern Indiana,” says Ian Matzenbacher, Stine field agronomist for Illinois. “Central Illinois has been slowed as of late due to a band of reoccurring rain stretching from I-70 north to Peoria, Illinois.”
Matzenbacher adds that consistent rains over the past few weeks have slowed progress, but growers are finding ways to plant in between gaps in moisture. Great conditions in early April allowed many in his region to get an early start compared to the past few years, but persistent rain and cold snaps halted progress toward the middle of the month.
“I've already had a few calls over the past two weeks about potential replant,” he says. “Those calls have ranged from being acceptable to below the 80,000-population threshold on soybeans. I could see a lot more replant acres happening in the next few weeks if the weather continues like it's supposed to.”
Matzenbacher cautions growers to be on the lookout for fungal diseases with the cooler, wetter environments for both corn and soybeans, along with dampening off or yellowing in spots of fields.
“Most corn I've seen still has its growing point under the ground, which should hopefully help it out in the long run after the cooler nights we've been having,” he adds. “Everyone in my territory is on the lookout for any issues to make sure our customers are well taken care of and informed about these issues, and we’re making it a top priority based on how the conditions have been.”
Southeast Kansas, southwest Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi
For Stine Technical Agronomist Brett Gordon, heavy rains have also impacted crop progress in his territories across parts of Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi.
“In Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana, corn planting is almost complete aside from some replant acres that received heavy rainfall the last week of April and the first week of May,” he says. “About 90% of the corn in this region has emerged.”
In southwest Missouri and southeast Kansas, heavy rainfall has also impacted progress, but there’s some hope with the upcoming weather forecast.
“For the last two to three weeks, it has started to clear, and some corn planting has resumed in scattered locations,” says Gordon. “The weather has been unseasonably cool, cloudy and wet, making planting and emergence progress slow.”
For the fields that have emerged, he notes that Stine corn hybrids are already showing strong performance.
“From the fields I've visited, Stine's late corn maturity lineup looks very strong from top to bottom,” says Gordon. “In particular, products like 9753-20 and 9891-20 look very good with excellent early-season vigor.”
In Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana, Gordon notes that 80%–85% of the soybean crop has been planted. Of the acres planted, around 65%–75% has emerged. He adds that there is a wide range of growth stage ranges due to the early planting window this year. In southwest Missouri and southeast Kansas, for example, scattered soybean planting in areas that are dry enough has resumed.
Outside of cool and wet weather slowing planting and emergence progress, an unwelcome pest has made its presence known.
“I have been hearing reports of saltmarsh caterpillars defoliating scattered soybean fields in Arkansas,” says Gordon. “This has not been widespread issue but something to keep an eye on as the season progresses.”
Nebraska and Kansas
While many areas of the South and parts of Illinois have experienced heavy moisture this spring, states like Nebraska have seen the opposite.
“So far, I am finished with all of my corn Product Development Plots (PDPs) and have three remaining soybean PDPs,” says Danny Greblunas, Stine field agronomist. “The majority of growers in my area are either close to finishing up planting or have been done. The biggest issue that I am seeing right now is a lack of moisture in central to western Nebraska. This has made it difficult for farmers to plant dryland areas without any sign of significant precipitation in the immediate forecast.”
Greblunas notes that in areas where irrigation is practiced, he’s seen growers starting irrigation pivots early in order to prepare fields for planting.
“This is an added cost that in a normal year they do not have,” stresses Greblunas.
For acres planted, he notes that cooler weather over the past few weeks has slowed emergence of both corn and soybeans. However, soil temperatures have stayed warm enough to avoid plant damage.
“In a large area of my territory, we also had some frost damage,” Greblunas adds. “This was mainly on early-planted soybeans. Each field needs to be treated individually in order to have conversations on whether replant is the correct decision or not.”
As planting and emergence advance throughout the country, Stine agronomists remind growers to pay attention to stand establishment and connect with your local Stine sales rep if you have any concerns.